I earned an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science Technology in 2009.

Areas of expertise:

I don't consider myself an "expert" in any particular area of firefighting. I am simply a firefighter who enjoys continually learning about and honing my craft, while passing what I've learned on to the younger firefighters who follow me.

Bio:

I am a 12-year career member of the Inver Grove Heights (MN) Fire Department, currently holding the rank of Lieutenant.

I am also formerly a 4-year paid part-time member of the Maplewood (MN) Fire Department, where I worked as a Firefighter/EMT.

I firmly believe that there is always something that I can learn in every incident, on every call, and in every training, whether I lead or participate. I am constantly striving to better myself and those around me by remaining open-minded, hungry for knowledge, and mindful of the traditions and tragedies that have brought us as a Fire Service to where we are today. I take a tremendous amount of pride in my work, and in my two fire departments and am at the same time both humbled and honored by the extraordinary Brothers and Sisters that I have the privilege of serving beside every day.

Paul M. Rank's Photos

Paul M. Rank's Blog

Professionalism is a very common adjective used in the sphere of the modern fire service. It is a word that is taken in a myriad of contexts and used to describe (or sometimes denounce) much of what we do as firefighters. As the emphasis of service shifts in importance to all aspects of our modern-day society, the fire service is no different. Many fire departments and organizations,…

Whether career or volunteer, municipal or private, urban or rural, firefighters are the cornerstone of the fire service, and have been since the Vigiles of Ancient Rome. Without firefighters, a fire department has nothing and can do nothing. A fire station won’t provide maintenance to its own apparatus and equipment. Apparatus can’t drive to fires and pump themselves. A…

The modern day fire service is a world different than the fire service of 20 years ago.Hell, it’s a world different than 10 years, 5 years, or even 1 year ago.We live and work in an ever-changing, ever-evolving industry.…

As firefighters spend more time in the fire service and grow as professionals, they inevitably gain new interests and take on new knowledge to meet the challenges of an ever-growing industry.They can develop many different, often specialized skill sets along the way.Advanced rescue skills such as urban search and rescue, collapse, high-angle, trench,…

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